What is PSA?

PSA or Prostate Specific Antigen is a protein produced by the prostate gland and released into the blood stream. In healthy men, low levels of PSA are normal. PSA levels above 4.0 ng/ml indicate an increase in the size of prostate; the higher the levels, the stronger the concern.
In mid-1980’s scientists discovered that PSA levels higher than 4.0 might indicate cancer. The correlation between high levels of PSA and prostate cancer is of course not that straight forward as it was thought back then. Since high PSA levels can indicate diet based prostate changes, BPH, infections, and cancer, always consult with your urologist if you have been tested to have high blood PSA levels as only further studies will be able to determine the cause.